One of the basic principles of good boating is ensuring that a vessel is seaworthy. An un-seaworthy vessel threatens passenger safety and also poses an environmental hazard. Neglected or unmaintained vessels are at greater risk of sinking and releasing fuel, oil, sewage and toxic chemicals into the water.

Vessel maintenance includes keeping boats in good, safe operating condition, cleaning them regularly, replacing and properly recycling batteries, inspecting emergency flares yearly and regularly inspecting vessels for leaks. Sanding, cleaning, painting and degreasing boats can pose major threats to the water. Particles of dust and paint in the water can block life-giving sunlight and toxic substances from cleaners and anti-fouling compounds can sicken or kill marine life.

Boaters can ensure proper vessel maintenance and repair practices by following these tips:

Use non-hazardous materials – if it’s hazardous to people, it’s hazardous to the environment.

Properly dispose of items that contain toxic materials, such as old batteries and marine flares.

When painting hulls, choose products that will provide anti-fouling performance while being kind to the environment.

Failure to properly maintain or repair a vessel can lead to vessel operation damage. Improper anchoring, operating in shallow waters, running aground in a sensitive area and operating without regard to wildlife are examples. Invasive species – non-native plants or animals that enter a new ecosystem – are also a serious concern.

Boaters have a responsibility to themselves, their passengers and the environment to properly and safely operate their vessels. Some of the steps boaters can take to reduce vessel operation damage include:

Avoid shallow water, where vessels can stir up sediments, disturb habitat and damage propellers, hulls and engines if they run aground.

Know where to go slowly to prevent shore-damaging wakes.

Boaters can help prevent the spread of invasive species by removing hitchhiking plants and animals from their hulls, rinsing vessels with freshwater and NOT dumping unused bait or packaging into the water.

It is also important for boaters to understand that their vessels can harm marine wildlife. As a general rule, boaters should always slow their vessels when approaching wildlife and maintain a safe distance of 100 yards from marine mammals.

Adopting best boating practices that help ensure the proper maintenance, repair and operation of vessels is beneficial for those who love the water – as well as the species that live in it.

To learn more about vessel maintenance, repair and operation damage, refer to Chapters 4 and 7 in the Good Mate manual.

Being a waterman who has owned boats ranging from catamarans to skiffs throughout my life, I always look forward to the Miami Boat Show — a premier event each year for those of us who love the salt life. Thanks to the generosity of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Ocean Conservancy was granted a complimentary booth at the show to share our GoodMate “Charting a Course to Clean Water” program made possible by the Brunswick Foundation.

It was inspiring to see the advancements and mindset of the boating and salt life community toward conservation on display throughout the show.

I particularly enjoyed meeting Al Baurley, President of Arid Dry Bilge Systems, and a native of my old haunt of Pompano Beach. Al has created an ingenious system that filters engine fluids from a boat’s bilge water, reducing hydrocarbon traces to 1 part per million(ppm), well below the 15ppm government standard.

Cutting edge technologies were on display as well and NMMA deserves credit with their “Innovation Awards” competition. Torqeedo of Starnbeerg Germany was the 2013 winner with their new “Deep Blue” high powered, all-electric outboard engine. As a fisherman who has to power almost 20 miles offshore to reach fishing grounds, the idea of saving fuel appeals to me. As a conservationist, it’s inspiring to see a vessel that doesn’t have the same footprint as a traditional gas-powered boat on the delicate resources of the marine environment.

Just as impressive was Lehrs propane powered outboard motor and the recycled plastic Global Dock. Lehr received the EPA Clean Air Excellence Award for their technology and I’m glad to see the trend toward alternative fuels that are safer for the marine environment in case of accidental spillage. Global Dock is another positive trend — complete marina designs utilizing floating dock made entirely of recycled material.

It was a ton of fun to tour the show, greet Ocean Conservancy members, cross paths with Alberto Ruiz the International Coastal Clean Up Coordinator from Puerto Rico, get thumbs up and waves from folks concerned for our oceans and the sincere thanks many gave for what the Ocean Conservancy team does for the big blue.

Looking for some extra motivation to keep that resolution to go to the gym? How about saving the planet? It’s easy to incorporate small changes into your workout routine that will actually benefit our ocean’s health.

Here are four ways you can help keep the ocean healthy while working toward a healthier you:

Take a reusable water bottle to the gym. The average American uses 167 plastic bottles per year, and these long-lived disposables are among the top debris items littering coastlines and waterways around the world. You can help keep plastic beverage bottles out of our ocean by keeping a refillable water bottle in your gym bag. You’ll be able to stay hydrated and save money.

Rethink your commute. Cars are the largest component of a typical household’s carbon footprint, burning lots of fossil fuels but not a lot of calories. Try walking, biking or incorporating public transportation into your commuting routine to increase your daily activity level while helping keep our air and water cleaner and healthier.

Carry a trash bag when you head out for a hike. No matter how far you live from the coast, trash can travel via storm drains, streams and waterways out to the open ocean. If your workout takes you outdoors, pick up any litter you find along the way. Each time you squat to collect debris, you’ll be working your lower body—and depending how much you haul away, you may get an upper-body workout as well.

Be a responsible boater. If your workout takes you out on the water, make sure you know how to keep the ocean clean and healthy while on the water and at the dock. Follow Ocean Conservancy’s Good Mate tips to help protect shallow reefs, keep pollutants out of the water and ensure you maintain a safe distance from aquatic wildlife.